The Capitals traded Erat and forward John Mitchell to the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday in exchange for defenceman Rostislav Klesla, forward Chris Brown and a fourth round draft choice in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

In 53 games with the Capitals this season, Erat scored one goal and added 23 assists.

The 32-year-old has one season remaining on the seven-year, $31.5 million contract he signed with the Nashville Predators prior to the 2008-2009 season. He carries an annual salary cap hit of $4.5 million.

The move comes over three months after Erat confirmed that he had asked for a trade out of Washington in late November.

"We've been looking at Martin for a long, long time," Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said. "We're excited to have him."

Erat was traded to the Capitals from the Predators on trade deadline day last season.